Make glaze. In small bowl of electric mixer beat cheese on medium speed until very light. Add sugar gradually with lemon juice, beating until very light and fluffy. Stir in lemon peel. Use to glaze top of cake letting it drizzle down side. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until serving time.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

I have decided to feature some of the cool things out there in blog land. Every Monday I will feature 5 projects or recipes that I have seen while blog surfing. After checking out all the cool blogs. Here are my 5 favorite project picks.

My daughter went with me on Friday to my weekly Michaels trip. As we were walking around the store finding the things on my list, she saw these cute bead strings. Well of course she wanted a necklace. I bought some extra large O-rings so I could connect the strands together. The finished product wasn't quite long enough for her. She will be wearing it like it is until I can get another strand to make it longer.

I think it turned out cute. She now has another funky necklace for her collection of accessories. Here is the "for now" finished necklace.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Learn how recycling can lead to an inexpensive and unique sugar-water feeder.
By Bill Merritt, Camdenton, Missouri

Forget buying expensive, decorative sugar-water feeders. Now you can make your own for just a few bucks by using a recycled bottle. You'll be amazed at how fun and easy it is to make this one-of-a-kind feeder using a glass bottle. And with the copper accents, it's a decorative addition to your backyard, too.

2.Take the 4-gauge wire and bend it at one of the ends to form a small circle. This should fit loosely over the opening of the bottle.

3.Insert the bottle in the circle, and make one more loop around the neck to hold it securely.

4.With the neck of the bottle securely in the two loops, wind the rest of the wire around the bottle. (This is where you have a little freedom to create your own design.) The wire should be loose enough to easily remove the bottle for refilling the sugar water, but tight enough to hold the feeder securely.

5.Bend the last 18 inches or so of wire upward to make a hanging hook and then fashion a loop at the very end to secure it, as shown.

6.Next, decorate your feeder using the 12-gauge copper wire.

7.Use needle-nose pliers and wire cutters to shape the wire as needed. Here's a design tip: To create the look of curling vines, wrap the wire around a pencil first and then attach it in pieces.

8.Use colorful beads or other adornments to complete your design. Remember, hummingbirds love red, so it's a great accent color.

9.Remove the bottle and fill it with sugar water. Then take your store-bought feeding tube and gently twist the stopper into place at the opening of the bottle. It should fit snugly to avoid leaking.

10.After you fill it with sugar water, place the bottle back into the copper holder. You might have to shake the bottle a little to dislodge any air bubbles. If it leaks, remove the feeding tube and try repositioning the stopper to get a more snug fit.

11.Ready to put your feeder to work? Make sure it hangs securely by hooking the feeder onto a snap ring or carabiner. Then put the ring through a screw eye and hang the entire feeder in the desired location. Now it's time to sit back, relax and watch for hummingbirds. Just don't forget to change the sugar water in the bottle every few days. (Or hopefully you will be changing it much sooner because you'll have so many hungry visitors!)

Looking for Hummingbird Feeding Tubes?

You can easily find them at bird supply stores and several places on-line. For example, you can find a 12-pack on-line at Amazon for around $12. If you can't find a local supplier, try doing a search on-line for "hummingbird feeding tubes" to find a source. Choosing a Bottle

Glass bottles larger than 375 ml are heavy and more prone to leakage. Thus, they are not recommended for this project. Above all, the bottle must provide a tight fit for the stopper portion of the feeding tube you buy.

Anything less than an airtight fit will allow the nectar to drip from the feeding tube. Many soda and water bottles are a good fit for a commercial tube feeder assembly. Be sure to test the seal before you complete your design and add sugar water.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Today I have been working on my blog buttons. It was a little frustrating at times, but I did it. I finally got a graphic that I liked and goes well with my blog. I still have to finish my "Featured At" button. I have the button done, just have to finish the code. Not quite ready to add that one yet. But coming soon I will be featuring projects and recipes that I have found out in blog land. Look for it soon.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Last night I had a little free time, so I decided to put together the Easter baskets. I only had to do 2. One for a 2 1/2 year old and one for a 13 year old. I had way too much stuff. I can't believe I bought so many things. Anyway I took pictures of the finished product. Not too impressive, but at least it is something. They are for my daughter's boyfriend's younger sisters. I thought it would be nice to make them the baskets. I don't have any grandchildren yet and both my kids are over 20. They don't get Easter baskets any more. They just eat any Easter candy I have around the house. Well I think I will go work on some jewelery. Hopefully I will have some done to post this weekend. Bye bye for now.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Well today is my son's 20th birthday. Boy do they grow up fast. Seems like just yesterday he was starting kindergarten. He goes to the same college that I do, so at least I get to see him often. He moved out in January, I miss having him around. At least he calls me weekly. I guess you have to let them go sometime. He knows he is always welcome back home if he can't make it on his own. Here he is, not the best picture. He has changed his hair and style since this was taken. This was taken last summer when he was in a band. Now he all cleaned up for the business world. Will have to get a current picture.

10.Simmer 20 minutes then add peas. Add a little more water if needed during cooking.

11.Simmer 10 minutes more or until potatoes are tender. Correct seasoning. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Beef and Vegetable Stew

Description

This hearty beef and vegetable stew combines flavors for a wonderfully warm winter meal. The potatoes in this stew make this a filling dish and because it's made in a slow cooker, it's a super easy recipe.
Serves: 6 Cooking Time: 8 hr

1.In a 6-quart slow cooker, mix the potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. Toss the beef with flour to coat evenly. Add to the slow cooker. Top with the beef broth and red wine, pepper and salt. Cover and cook on the high setting 1-1 1/2 hours.

2.Reduce the heat setting to low and cook 7 hours longer, or until the beef is tender, stirring once or twice during cooking.

3.Add the corn, beans and peas and cook for one more hour or until hot through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

It was New Years Eve, over ten years ago. My cat Spazz became very sick. When I left that morning to go to the barn, Spazz was sleeping quietly on the bed. Later that day, my husband called me, he thought that Spazz might be sick. He had not moved all day, and my husband could not get him to eat or drink. When I got to the house, Spazz was limp and he had no energy. His gums were almost white; I knew for sure he was sick. He looked so weak, so I wrapped him up in his blanket and my husband drove us to the vet.

It was after six p.m., our Vet’s office had already closed. We had to take him to the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital in Monterey. I had to pay two hundred and seventy five dollars just to have him seen. The vet took x-rays of his stomach. He said he could have swallowed something. He also ran some tests. The vet was trying to figure out what was wrong with Spazz. All of the tests and x-rays were normal. The vet could not diagnose the problem and I was starting to get worried. I was fearful that I might have to euthanize him. It was after midnight when the vet said that Spazz would have to stay overnight. Spazz still would not eat or drink. He had to have an I.V. to keep him hydrated. I did not want to leave him; he was just a kitten and looked so frail. I left his blanket with him, so he would have something familiar from home. The vet assistant said that I would be updated on his progress.

I could not sleep the rest of the night. I had called the office twice. Spazz’s condition had not changed. I was really starting to think he was not going to make it. When I talked to the vet’s office in the morning, Spazz was doing much better. The vet thought he might have food poisoning. I went outside and looked around. I found a carton of unfinished Chinese food. I told the vet what I had found. He said, that if Spazz had eaten the Chinese food, it could have made him sick. The vet still did not know what the cause was for him getting sick. But since he had improved tremendously, he would let him come home. I was able to bring him home later that day. I was so relieved that he was home. I made a decision. Spazz was not allowed to go outside anymore. He is now a full time indoor cat.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Thought I would post a pair of earrings I made last night. I wanted something to wear for school. I thought they turned out good. Sorry the pictures don't do them justice. The black square bead has swirls of green though it. I will see if I can get better pictures of them later.

Buttons to Links

I design in EQ7

fabshophop.com

About Me

Hello I love to craft with my daughter and make jewelry. I have fun in the kitchen with my son who loves to cook. I love to make homemade gifts. I just love the winter holidays. I think there is something special about homemade gifts from the heart. I am new at blogging so here it goes.